I just received a shipment from Upton that includes two interesting Darjeeling teas, so I thought I’d try them both right away. During the spring and summer I’ve been drinking a lot of first flush Darjeeling, so I thought I’d try a couple teas from the other flushes.
Arya Estate FTGFOP1 Autumnal Organic
This is my first tea from the organic Arya Estate and also my first autumnal Darjeeling. Upton describes this one as having a “bright character … suggestive of a first flush, rather than autumnal harvest,” so perhaps I’m still not getting the full autumnal Darjeeling experience. Still, based on my first brew, I really like this tea. Like a first flush, there are flecks of green in the dry tea. The liquor is a pleasant amber color and the aroma is floral, but not overpoweringly so. There’s very little astringency and a strong fruity/floral quality that reminds me of apples or chamomile. It’s a very gentle, friendly tea, although I may have underbrewed it just a bit.
Makaibari Estate FTGFOP1S Second Flush
This is another organic tea and is Fair Trade certified as well. Looking at the dry tea, there are no traces of green, but there is a sprinkling of silvery tips. As one would expect, it is darker in the cup than the Arya and the aroma is similarly understated. (My point of comparison on the aroma is mostly from first flushes, which can really reach out and grab you by the nose.) Also like the Arya, it lacks much astringency, but does have more of a classic “tea” flavor as opposed to the pronounced fruitiness of the Arya. Also a very nice tea, but perhaps not as exciting or surprising as the autumnal.